Collin Millar from The Athletic noted on X that Manchester City’s acquisition of Savinho from a sister club he never played for raises concerns in top-tier football.
All three clubs involved are part of the City Football Group (CFG).
Savinho was signed by Troyes in 2022 for a record-breaking €12.5 million (£10.5m/$13.6m), but he was immediately loaned to PSV Eindhoven, leaving Troyes to struggle through the 2022–2023 season.
In the 2023–24 season, Savinho was loaned to Girona, where he scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists, leading them to the Champions League, while Troyes faced consecutive relegations.
Now, Savinho is a £33.7 million ($43.5 million) transfer target for Manchester City, CFG’s premier team.
CFG, founded in 2013, includes 11 members across four continents and several “partner clubs.” Savinho isn’t the only player to move between CFG teams without impacting the joining team.
Aaron Mooy moved from Melbourne City to Manchester City in 2016, was immediately loaned out, and sold the following year.
Similarly, Mix Diskerud spent three years on Manchester City’s roster after coming from New York City without making an impact.
Manchester City aims to extend its dominance in English football by winning the Premier League for the fifth consecutive time in the 2024–25 season.
However, this era may end soon as Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires next summer, is reportedly a target for the England national team.
